(NaturalNews) We spend approximately one third of our lives in bed. With such a large proportion of our lives spent in one place, it makes sense that this area is important to our health. However, many people do not take the health implications of a badly maintained sleeping area seriously, and are oblivious to the diseases and conditions that can be caused.

Statistics show that after 10 years, a mattress will double in weight due to dust mites or bed bugs. These creatures will feed off skin cells and produce allergens in the mattress. This in turn leads to respiratory conditions being triggered such as asthma, but also symptoms more commonly associated with hay fever such as runny nose, irritation in the eyes and lungs and sneezing. A survey carried out in the UK found that one in eight people changed their bed sheets less often than once a month and 27 percent were sleeping on mattresses more than 10 years old.

Other effects of an old mattress come from the lack of support that an old mattress gives. Back ache is the most common symptom of a poorly supporting mattress, increases in lower back pain, shoulder and pains in the hip and neck are all caused by either pressure being applied to the area from springs poking into the area or from a lack of support to the joint. Many of these joint problems are misdiagnosed as injuries or arthritic conditions, when in fact a good supportive mattress would be the most beneficial treatment.

Sleeping conditions can be pivotal to all aspects of your life

The temperature and color of your room can also affect the quality of sleep. Many people who suffer from migraines have reported that changing the color of the room to a much lighter tone and having black out curtains for early mornings helps their condition. A hot, stuffy bedroom will encourage dehydration, bed bug infestations, and poor sleep patterns.

Lack of sleep from a poor bed can result in irritability, headaches, depression, aching muscles, poor memory, and confusion as well as an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. The effects on not only the physical but also the social and psychological health can result in strained relationships and poor performance at work.

The important qualities in a bed should be a medium to firm mattress that supports all the areas in contact with the body without leaving gaps under the body. The mattress should be turned at least once a month and replaced after five or six years. Bed linen should be washed every week if in constant use, to reduce the amount of "food" that bed bugs have. And the room in which the bed is situated should be aired to allow the humidity to drop as low as possible. Bed bugs breed best at 75 percent humidity, but can not survive below 50 percent.

About the author:D Holt has written over 200 articles in the field of alternative health and is currently involved in research in the UK into the mechanisms involved in healing due to meditation, hypnosis and spiritual healers and techniques. Previous work has included investigations into effects of meditation on addiction, the effects of sulfites on the digestive system and the use of tartrazine and other additives in the restaurant industry. new blog is now available at http://tinyurl.com/sacredmeditation or follow on twitter @sacredmeditate

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